Truck operators’ leader accuses SDM of forcing him to dissolve union
Tribune news Service

Dera Bassi, July 7
The chief of Bassi Mubarikpur Truck Operators Union, Dera Bassi, has accused local Sub-Division Magistrate (SDM) of pressuring him to dissolve the union. The union president, Baldev Singh, has also sent a written complaint to the Punjab Chief Minister, Chief Justice Punjab and Haryana High Court, DGP, Punjab, Deputy Commissioner (DC) and SSP, Mohali, in this regard. Fearing threat to his life, the trucker has also sought security cover.

In his complaint, Baldev Singh alleged that the SDM had been pressurising him to dissolve the elected union and lingering on the audit of union documents (involving Rs 67 lakh as TDS).

On his written application in this regard, the court had directed the SDM to file a reply in his context. The then DC and SDM Inderjit Kaur Kang, in a reply submitted to the court, had admitted of conducting union elections and the audit within 15 days, the complainant stated.

He alleged that the SDM is acting under the influence of political pressure and he has even threatened him of dire consequences.

The SDM, Sanjiv Kumar, however, denied the allegations and claimed to have allotted the job to Gurmandar Singh, a tehsildar.

“A chartered accountant is hired for the purpose but Baldev Singh has not submitted the complete documents so far,” the SDM added.

COURTS

Insurance firm told to pay relief
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 7
In four different complaints filed by Muketshwar Food Private Limited, Patiala, National Insurance Company has been penalised by the District Consumer Forum for failing to provide full claim on the death of insured cows.

The total amount to be refunded by the company in four cases, as directed by the forum, amounts to Rs 49,000 while compensation totals to Rs 40,000.

Muketshwar Food Private Limited filed four separate complaints for the death of one cow each insured with the insurance firm for different periods.

The cases of the complainant were regarding non-payment of the balance amount per insured cow. In all cases, allegedly, the opposite party did not provide complete insurance amount to the complainant. The unpaid amount was Rs 18,000 in case of the first cow which was insured for Rs 68,000. In the second, third and fourth cases, the opposite party allegedly deducted Rs 10,000 out of 60,000, Rs 6,000 out of 55,000 and Rs 15,000 out of 80,000, respectively.

In the four cases the cows died within a period of four months (while time varied in each case).

“We are unable to accept that the market value of the cow decreased within a period of a few months of the inception of the policy,” the forum ruled.

“The amounts were transferred in the account of the complainant through NEFT without giving it an opportunity of lodging any protest. Had the complainant been given an opportunity, it could explain that the reduction was not justified on account of condition and milk yielding capacity of the cow prior to its death. On account of the conduct and anti-consumer attitude of the opposite, the complainant has suffered harassment,” it ruled.

Land Scam Case
Amarinder fails to attend court hearing
Tribune News Service

Mohali, July 7
In the Amritsar Improvement Trust land scam case, former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh failed to attend the today’s court hearing here. The process of framing charges is on in the case.

The other accused, who did not turn up for the hearing included Subash Chand and Vicky Sharma. Captain Amarinder’s counsel Ramdeep Partap Singh said his client was busy due to the Budget session in Delhi so he could not attend today’s hearing.

“We have taken the court’s permission in this connection”, said Ramdeep Partap Singh. The court has set July 21 as the next hearing in the case.

CRIME

suicide by banker
P’kula police to handle investigations
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, July 7
The Panchkula District Police will now initiate investigations into the suicide case of PNB banker Ajay Sehgal. The Government Railway Police Force (GRPF) was handling the case earlier. Sehgal ended his life due to alleged harassment by his bosses.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Railways, Ashok Kumar said higher authorities decided to transfer the case to the district police. It has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) also, as it is a high-profile case. Also, the residence of the victim is located in Panchkula.

Till late evening, talks were on regarding the transfer of the case as the victim died on a railway track in Chandigarh.

“If the district police want our help, we can assist them. As the bank is in Panchkula, the higher authorities have decided to transfer the case,” said SP Ashok Kumar.

Ajay Sehgal (52), branch manager of the PNB, Sector 20, Panchkula, allegedly committed suicide by jumping in front of the Unchahar Express (14218) on the Chandigarh-Ambala railway line at Daria village, 2 km from Chandigarh Railway Station.

A suicide note has been recovered from the spot by officials of the Government Railway Police Force (GRPF).

In his suicide note, Sehgal held senior deputy general manager AK Gupta and field general manager JK Gupta responsible for forcing him to take the extreme step.

Duty takes back seat when big names pop up in cases

Last year, GM of Confed Vinod Kumar committed suicide by hanging from the ceiling fan at his residence in Sector 20. Kumar ended his life as he was named in the multicrore wheat scam. In his suicide note, he held three GMs and five clerks in the department responsible for harassment. The police, however, did not arrest the accused for over two months stating that the investigations were on in the case. The then station house officer had stated that since it was a high profile matter, they had to think twice before getting hold of the accused. Saman Dhanak death case was also transferred to the State Crime Branch by the Panchkula police on the request of the family of the victim. The family alleged that the SIT was not doing anything concrete in the case.

Jyoti Murder Case
Now, nephews of Doon MLA refute prosecution claims
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, July 7
In the Jyoti murder case, two nephews of the Doon MLA refuted the prosecution claims in the court today. Gurmeet, nephew of Doon MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary, today opposed the recovery of MLA’s phones used in the crime from his residence by saying that he never lived in the house from where police showed the recovery stating that it was his residence. The two had given statements in the court for the first time.

The main evidence against the two nephews of the MLA in the case was that the mobile phone and sim cards used in the crime by the MLA were recovered from the residences of Gurmeet and Dharampal during a raid by the police. While Gurmeet said he never stayed in the house, from where the police recovered the phones and sim cards, which is House No 490, Phase 3, Baddi, rather his residence was at Chakka road in Baddi. While Dharampal said no phone was recovered from his residence.

The two also said on the night of murder, they were not on the spot as per the prosecution’s claims.

Dharampal also said his name was only Dharampal and not Maru as stated by the police. The two had given statements in the court for the first time.

On Saturday, the Doon MLA in his statement told the court that he did not know Jyoti and it was his driver Satpal who was using his phone that was issued in the former’s name.

Doon MLA and four others, including two nephews of the MLA, have been accused of killing Jyoti, who hailed from Bhunga village in Hoshiarpur. The victim who was found murdered on a road in Sector 21, Panchkula, on November 22, 2012, was coming in the way of Chaudhary’s political career, said the chargesheet.

The accused first allegedly strangulated Jyoti and then a truck was run over her to make it an accident case.

One held in firing incident
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 7
Two days after the firing incident in which two family members of a murder convict, due to an old rivalry, were injured at a house in Sector 27, the police have arrested one of the assailants out of the four identified today.

Maninder Singh, aka Chotta Maani of Sector 41 has been arrested. The accused is an engineering student in a private institute and his elder brother is lodged in Model Burail Jail.

In his statement to the police, Maani claimed that Monty Saha was the main culprit in the attack and was carrying a pistol. Meanwhile, Maani also shared the names of the other accused with the police but maintained that they were only six persons instead of nine assailants.

Three other accused were identified as Karan Sharma of Sector 41, who was earlier arrested for firing on a youth at Panjab University on May 9, Monty Saha and Karun Kumar.

The police said Shiv Charan, son of Raj Kumar, who was attacked inside his house, had earlier had a scuffle with Karan and Monty inside the Model Burail Jail sometimes ago and the trio decided to take revenge from him by attacking his family members.

Accused Karan along with two others was released on regular bail from jail two months ago.

Injured Raj Kumar, an employee with the Postal Department, and his son Bhiwani were discharged from the hospital yesterday.

Eunuchs clash in Sector 10, 5 hurt
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 7
A group of eunuchs was attacked by members of another group following a dispute over jurisdiction on the road dividing Sector 10 and11 today. Five eunuchs were injured after acid was allegedly spilled over them after a spat. The UT police are yet to register a case as they are verifying facts.

The incident occurred following an argument over the area of jurisdiction when eunuchs belonging to one group attacked eunuchs of the other group.

The victims have been identified as Shabbo, Anisha, Mehak, Madhu and Sunil. They were rushed to the GMSH Sector-16, and their condition is stated to be stable. The victims did not get any serious injury as the acid was was diluted.

It all happened when a group of eunuchs were roaming in Sector 10 when three to four persons with their faces covered came and intercepted them on the road dividing Sector 10 and 11.

The miscreants first threw red chilli powder and then spilled acid. They also broke the windowpanes of the vehicle in which the eunuchs were moving and escaped from the spot.

The head of the eunuchs, Sunil, said a fight was going on as the eunuchs moving about in Mani Mjara had started moving in their area. Due to the regular interference, both the groups had a clash on Sunday, but the matter was settled then. The police ruled out any instance of acid attack and said the clothes had been sent for chemical examination.

Man found dead on railway track
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, July 7
A resident of Vikasnagar was found dead on the railway track near Sector 16, last evening. The victim, identified as Manoj Kumar (40) was rushed to General Hospital by a passerby, where he was declared brought dead.

Doctors conducting the postmortem at General Hospital, Sector 6, said antemortem injury marks were found on the body. Doctors have not ruled out murder. The police are awaiting the postmortem report to decide on the course of action in this regard.

Boy goes missing from Mohali

Mohali, July 7
A 14-year-old boy, Gurveen Singh Setia, who stays with his family at Phase IX here, has gone missing since last evening from a park in his area. The boy, who is a class VII student of Manav Mangal Smart School here, went to the park in the evening to play but did not return.

After looking for him at all the houses of acquaintances, parents of the boy approached the police, which registered a case. — TNS

Migrant hit by speeding tempo, dies

Mohali, July 7
A migrant died in a road accident after being hit by an unidentified tempo at Phase XI, here. The victim, Lal Bhadur, was admitted at PGI, Chandigarh, in a serious condition where he succumbed to his injuries.

According to the police, the Bhadur was going towards Phase IX when the speeding tempo hit him. A case has been registered. — TNS

SPORTS

Cricket academy struggles for new players
The state-run institute will conduct the fourth phase of trials soon to induct more cricketers
Deepankar Sharda
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 7
Falling short of trainees at the Chandigarh Cricket Academy, officials of the UT Sports Department has decided to call for the fourth phase of trials. The academy is being run by the Chandigarh Administration.

Since the formation of the state-run Chandigarh Cricket Academy, the officials, for the very first time, have decided to conduct the fourth phase of trials.

In the recent trials, conducted last week at the cricket grounds of Sector 16, only six players managed to clear the physical efficiency test. A total of 15 players have been selected in the three phases of trials held throughout this year.

In the previously-held trials, only nine players managed to pass the physical efficiency test while, the recent addition of six players took the total tally to 15 players. The selection management is still short of nine players.

The management of the UT Sports Department is yet to finalise the date of the trial. The dates are expected to be decided in a day or so.

“In the recent trials, only six players managed to get through the physical efficiency tests. The two-day trials were conducted at the cricket stadium of Sector 17. Majority of players failed to clear the test due to addition in tests, followed with a change in age bandwidth,” said an official of the Sports Department, on the condition of anonymity.

Earlier, the players aged 10 years were inducted in the academy. This year, the age has been increased to 12 years. Due to this change, the criterion to judge player’s physical efficiency has also changed. Meanwhile, the selected 15 players are yet to clear the age-verification medical test. The test will be held at Government Multi Specialty Hospital, Sector 16. After clearing the final tests, the selected players will be able to get through the admission procedure.

Vikrant Dahiya gets the better of fifth seed Chinmay in tennis match
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 7
Top seeded players left tennis courts following major upset during the ongoing CLTA-AITA men’s and women’s Rs 1 lakh Tennis Tournament at the CLTA (Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association) Tennis Courts in Sector 10, here today.

In first of the upset, CHART trainee Vikrant Dahiya defeated fifth seed Chinmay Pradhan in a closely-contested three-setter match. In the first set, Chinmay used his experience to break Vikrant’s game. He successfully claimed the first set 6-3. In the following set, Vikrant maintained his calm and played attacking forehands followed by volleys. He claimed the set 6-4. In the decider, Vikrant carried forward his form and dominated the set lead 6-3.

While in the women’s top seed, Victoria Chahal was upset by Aastha Babasaheb. The latter conceded only one game to upset top seed Victoria Chahal. She won the game in straight sets 6-0, 6-1.

In other matches, local player Gayatri Kumaraiah defeated Saranya Khanna 6-2 and 6-0 while, Dikshita Patel defeated Aarushi Kakkar 6-0, 0-6 and 6-2.

In the boy’s category, CHART trainee Digvijay Pratap Singh, who qualified in his first appearance in men’s tournament, defeated Lavish Nehra. He will be facing his practice partner Vikrant Dahiya in pre-quarter final. Seventh seed CHART trainee Ranjeet Singh also marched ahead with defeating qualifier Rohit Jain 6-1, 6-2.

Results

Women’s qualifying final round-Rimpledeep Kaur bt Simran Wadhwa 2-6, 6-1, 6-0, Saranya Khanna bt Shubhi Dviwedi 7-6(5), 6-4, Deepshikha bt. Pious Mudgil 6-2, 6-2, Baani Singh bt Disha Dang 6-3, 6-2, Samriti bt Jyoti Manjunath 6-4, 6-0, Charvi Saxena bt Aastha Malhotra 6-1, 6-0, Anukriti Chaudhary bt Sanya Sinha 6-4, 6-4, Abhilasha Vishvanath bt Dakshita Patel 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-4

Men’s qualifying final round-Rakshit Rishi bt Tarun Nath 7-6 (3), 6-3, Dheer Anush Bhatt bt Kamal Kishore 6-2, 6-1, Digvijay Pratap bt Sandeep Chaudhary 2-6, 6-1 Concd, Ankush Arora bt Jagrar Singh 7-5, 6-2, Rajanveer Dharni bt Rohit Jain 6-0, 6-2, Manjot Singh bt Shivam Dalmia 6-1, 6-1, Param Pun bt Pranav Suri 6-3, 7-6 (7), Basil Khuma bt Shrey Gupta 6-1, 6-0

Women’s main draw (first round)-Aastha Balasaheb bt Victoria Chahal 6-0, 6-1, Vineeta Singh bt Tanvi Bose 7-5, 6-3, Megha Sehrawat bt Stuti Tomar 6-3, 2-6, 6-1, Sanya Madan bt Ananya Jha 6-2, 6-1, Manya Nagpal bt Aarushi Basin 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, Nida Kamal bt Deepshikha 6-0, 6-0, Anjali Thakur bt Samriti 6-1, 6-3, Rimpledeep Kaur bt Omlata Rai 6-0, 6-0, Charvi Saxena bt Aaryali Chavan 6-4, Concd, Baani Singh bt M Arthi 6-3, 6-2, Anupreet Bedi bt Pious Mudgil 6-3, 6-1, Dikshita Patel bt Aarushi Kakkar 6-0, 0-6, 6-2, Gayatri Kumaraiah bt Saranya Khanna 6-2, 6-0, Rajbir Kaur bt Shubhi Dviwedi 6-4, 6-2, Anukriti Chaudhary bt Shehnaj Singh 7-5, 6-3, Abhilasha bt Simran Wadhwa 6-2, 7-6 (6)

Men’s main draw (first round)-Param Pun bt Gurinder Singh 7-6(3),1-0 Concd, Vikrant Dahiya bt Chinmay 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, Elwin Anthony bt Yuvraj Chaudhary 6-0, 6-0, Bhavesh Gaur bt Maninder 6-3, 6-2, Tarun Nath bt Ajay Yadav 1-6, 7-5, 6-2, Digvijay Pratap bt Lavish Nehra 7-6 (4), 6-1, Aditya Tiwari bt Manjot Singh 6-4, 6-1, Ranjeet Singh bt Rohit Jain 6-1, 6-2, Pranav Suri bt Archit Jain 7-5, 6-3, Brahmjot bt Shivam Dalmia 7-5, 6-2, Kunal Vazirani bt Rakshit Rishi 6-3, 7-5, Ankush Arora bt Rajanvir Dharni 6-3 Concd, Kamal Kishore bt Abhishek Gaur 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, Rubal Shandilya bt Jagtar Singh 6-0, 6-1, Dheer Anush Bhatti bt Rohit Ranglani 6-3, 6-4.

Sigma XI defeat Siemens by 38 runs
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 7
Sigma XI defeated Siemens by 38 runs in the ongoing match of the 2nd AG Challenger Cup T-20 Cricket Tournament at DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, here. After electing to bat first, Sigma XI started off well and scored 172 runs in the allotted slot of 20 overs.

The innings was sustained by Kafil’s contribution of 40 runs and Sandeep’s contribution of 28 runs. Sanjay Jain, for scoring 27 runs, remained the other noticeable scorer for the team. For bowling side, Tarun claimed two for 34 runs and Vaibhav tool two for 36 runs.

In reply, the Siemens side could manage to score only 134 runs in the allotted slot. Prabh (40 runs) and Vaibhav (25 runs) chipped in the major share while, for the winning side, Bhupinder claimed two for eight runs and Sandeep took two for five runs.

In the second match, Marriott registered a two-wicket win over Kudos Chemie. The latter posted a total of 100 runs before getting all out in 17.3 overs. For batting side, Rajiv (25 runs) and Rajbir (21 runs) remained the top scorers. For bowling side, Prakash claimed three for 17 runs and Mandeep took two for 27 runs.

Chasing the target, Marriott scored 104-runs in 16.5 overs with Faiz (33 runs) and Prakash (21 runs) scoring a major share. For bowling side, Hussain hogged the limelight with claiming three wickets for 14 runs while, Sumit took two for 14 runs.

In the third match, Earth Infrastructure XI defeated Infosys by 10 runs. The former set a target of 122 runs with Rajesh scoring his quick fire knock of 62 runs off 33 balls. He was equally supported by Sunil, who scored 29 runs.

For bowling side, Omkar Singh took three for 16 runs. In reply, Infosys restricted their total to 112 runs for eight wickets with Vivet (29 runs) and Ankit (25 runs) scoring major share.

For the winning team, Savinder took the charge and claimed four for nine runs while, Sukhwinder claimed one for 13 runs.

Junior Golf Training Programme from July 19
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 7
A continuous Junior Golf Training Programme will be conducted at Chandigarh Golf Club from July 19, here. Classes for junior golfers will be conducted on every Saturday (3 to 4 pm) and Sunday (9 to 10am).

The coaching camp will be organised for different period of 10, 14 or 18 days, as per the requirement. The programme is being launched by EGTF certified coach Ajay Gujral.

This programme has been started keeping in mind the efforts of the Chandigarh Golf Club in introducing juniors to the game, thereby improving their knowledge and providing a positive, fun-filled and rewarding environment to them.

The programme is ideal for beginners and children aged between 7-18 years. It will provide an all-round development of the junior golfers leading them on to a road of excellence.

Non-members as well as members of the Chandigarh Golf Club can enroll in the programme. Interested may contact coach Ajay Gujral at 9814356013.

Cricket assn to conduct trials on July 10
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 7
The Chandigarh Cricket Association (affiliated with Haryana Cricket Association) will conduct selection trials for selecting local side for the upcoming Pataudi Trophy, here. The association will organise the trials on July 10 (4 pm) at the cricket grounds of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 19.

There is no age limit for the players and the selected players will participate in the Inter- District Cricket Tournament for Pataudi Trophy.

The tournament will begin from July 16, under the aegis of Haryana Cricket Association.

No fee will be charged for the trials, said Surinder Singh Baijee, general secretary of the Chandigarh Cricket Association (affiliated with Haryana Cricket Association).